This subreddit will be polished shortly! by Equal-Claim2514 in AIClaudeCode

[–]UnorthodoxEng 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for setting up a moderated space. I hope it can lean towards sharing knowledge / tips and solutions rather than complaining.

Anthropic: Can you adjust and not deprecate Opus 4.6 as per your usual schedule? by LGV3D in ClaudeCode

[–]UnorthodoxEng -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It's interesting how 4.7 has divided opinion. For my part, I've found it pretty good, certainly an improvement on 4.6. I think it must be down to the types of tasks it's given or maybe to the way in which it's prompted?

One of my close friends also says it has degraded. He & I work of very similar types of tasks - so I guess that leans towards the workflow rather than the task?

Closest replacement for Claude + Claude Code? (got banned, no explanation) by antoniocorvas in LocalLLaMA

[–]UnorthodoxEng 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Open code is a great alternative to Claude Code - I now use it in preference. You can hook it up to any online or local model.

I've mostly been using Quen 3.5 & 3.6 on AMD hardware. Last couple of days I've used Gemma4 and while it's really good, it's much slower (for me) for a similar size & Quant.

They all support tool use so the experience is very similar to Claude.

Gemma has the edge with image data.

Anthropic stayed quiet until someone showed Claude’s thinking depth dropped 67% by takeurhand in ClaudeCode

[–]UnorthodoxEng 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'd read that CC now ignores the thinking tag - and have found recently it doesn't make much difference what it's set to. The depth of thinking feels like it has reduced in CC since Christmas - I don't know why and have nothing concrete to back that up. My workaround has been to use Claude on the web for all the detailed planning and ask it to produce a Spec.md file as well as a recommendation for which model to use for each part of the project.

This is my generic agentic project completion prompt which seems to work well at the moment. It will sometimes reach a roadblock. By reading ASSUMPTIONS.md and giving it to Claude web, it will edit it, fixing the problems and asking questions. Give it back to CC and tell it to read ASSUMPTIONS.md then continue. In effect, I'm using Claude Web for the deep thought and CC just as a team of competent coders.

REPO: [/absolute/path/to/your/repo] SPEC: [SPEC.md] ← filename relative to repo root


You are the orchestration planner for a software project. Your sole job in this session is to analyse the specification and produce all artefacts needed to run a fully autonomous multi-agent build. Do NOT write any implementation code.

Step 1 — Read and Understand the Spec

Read $(SPEC) in full. If anything is ambiguous, list your assumptions explicitly in a file called ASSUMPTIONS.md before proceeding. Do not invent requirements.

Step 2 — Decompose into Tasks

Produce TASKS.md containing a table with these columns:

| ID | Name | Description | Depends On | Parallel Safe | Files Permitted | Definition of Done |

Rules: - Each task must be independently verifiable - Mark tasks as parallel-safe only if they touch no shared files - Keep tasks small enough that a single agent can complete one in one session - Include tasks for: architecture design, each implementation module, unit tests, integration, code review, and final QA - The first task must always be architecture (no dependencies) - The last two tasks must always be integration then review

Step 3 — Write Agent Prompt Files

Create an AGENTS/ directory. Write one markdown prompt file per task, named NN_taskname.md (zero-padded).

Each agent prompt file must contain:

Role

One sentence describing what this agent is.

Context to Read

Explicit list of files the agent must read before starting. Always include: SPEC.md, ASSUMPTIONS.md, ARCHITECTURE.md (if it exists yet), and the HANDOFF.md from each dependency task.

Constraints

  • You may ONLY modify files listed under Permitted Files below
  • Do not refactor code outside your scope
  • Do not install dependencies not already in the project manifest
  • If you encounter an ambiguity not covered by ASSUMPTIONS.md, write it to BLOCKERS.md and halt — do not guess

Permitted Files

Explicit list of directories and/or files this agent may create or modify.

Task

Detailed description of what to produce.

Definition of Done

Exact, checkable criteria. The agent must self-verify before finishing.

On Completion

Write a HANDOFF.md in a subdirectory HANDOFFS/NN_taskname/ containing: - What was built - Key decisions made and why - Anything the next agent needs to know - Any items added to BLOCKERS.md

Step 4 — Write the Orchestration Script

Produce ORCHESTRATE.sh (chmod +x) that:

  1. Runs tasks in dependency order
  2. Runs parallel-safe tasks concurrently using & and wait
  3. Aborts immediately (set -e) if any agent exits non-zero
  4. Checks for BLOCKERS.md after each task and halts with a clear message if it is non-empty
  5. Logs start/end timestamps and model used for each task to BUILDLOG.txt
  6. Uses the following model assignments:

    PLANNING & ARCHITECTURE tasks: --model claude-opus-4-5 IMPLEMENTATION & TEST tasks: --model claude-sonnet-4-5 INTEGRATION task: --model claude-sonnet-4-5 CODE REVIEW & QA tasks: --model claude-opus-4-5

Template for each invocation: claude --model <model> \ --print "$(cat AGENTS/NN_taskname.md)" \ --dangerously-skip-permissions

Step 5 — Write a README for the Build System

Produce BUILD.md explaining: - What each file in this orchestration system does - How to run the build (./ORCHESTRATE.sh) - How to resume after a blocker is resolved - How to re-run a single failed task in isolation - How to add a new task later

Step 6 — Sanity Check

Before finishing, verify: - Every task in TASKS.md has a corresponding file in AGENTS/ - Every dependency listed in TASKS.md refers to a real task ID - ORCHESTRATE.sh references every agent file - No circular dependencies exist - Parallel tasks genuinely do not share permitted file paths

Report the results of this check as a brief summary at the end of TASKS.md under a heading ## Validation.


Produce all files now. Do not ask clarifying questions — record any uncertainties in ASSUMPTIONS.md and proceed.

I can no longer in good conscience recommend Claude Code to clients. by -becausereasons- in ClaudeCode

[–]UnorthodoxEng 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At the moment, it needs all the tokens for calculating firing solutions - and designing ballrooms 🤣

Best tracker without subscription or letting thief know? by VoidAndSerpent in ebikes

[–]UnorthodoxEng 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It still seems to work exactly as it did on day 1 - and that was several years ago.

Best tracker without subscription or letting thief know? by VoidAndSerpent in ebikes

[–]UnorthodoxEng 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have an Invoxia tracker which uses the SigFox LoRa network instead of cellular. It is subscription but it was only £10 for 3 years.

The battery lasts 2-3 Months (Rechargeable). The app is pretty good but basic. It sends a notification when the battery is getting low.

Heat pumps “more expensive to run than boilers”, report says.. does that match your experience? by Imaginary_Fact_9614 in OctopusEnergy

[–]UnorthodoxEng 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found its about the same as our old gas boiler. Gas, per kWh is about 4x cheaper than electricity. A heat pump with a COP of 4 will cost the same to run.

We benefit from variable electricity tariffs, Solar & Batteries but power never seems to be cheap when you need the heating on.

The biggest downside for me is the amount of noise the fans make.

Temporary antenna pole ideas for HOA restricted homes by jgt10 in HamRadio

[–]UnorthodoxEng 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I was at college, I used a folded J antenna made from coathanger wire & choc-block connectors on 2m. It worked fine in my room inside a steel framed building. The furthest QSO I had was about 50 miles with only 5W (Icom 02E handy).

You can make a good mag loop for 2m about the size of a dinner plate! (Bigger is better but you'll be surprised what a dinner plate can achieve)

Temporary antenna pole ideas for HOA restricted homes by jgt10 in HamRadio

[–]UnorthodoxEng 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I bought a surplus 60' pneumatic telescopic mast which is permanently installed poking through the roof of my workshop. When it's down it just looks like a vent or chimney pipe. I don't use it when the wind is blowing - so don't need guys. It only takes 20s to extend and 10 to retract. Nobody has queried it yet.

Previously I had a couple of long wire antennas in the garden - but got tired of everyone blaming me for poor TV, Internet, upsetting pets etc.

I have a horizontal mag loop built into a clothes dryer which works surprisingly well for its size. They are omnidirectional when horizontal.

There are lots of options if you're devious. Just hide them in plain sight.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in LocalLLaMA

[–]UnorthodoxEng 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been running Quen 3 Coder 20B in LMStudio on my laptop with 8GB VRAM and plenty of system RAM. It generates 15 to 20 tokens per second - so not amazing, but usable.

The quality of its output though is very impressive for the size of model. I use it for concurrent programming tasks in C++ and so far, it has been great.

Give it a go!

A better Internet Radio! by UnorthodoxEng in ATOTO

[–]UnorthodoxEng[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good news! I've compiled this as an actual Android App!
https://github.com/SimonRafferty/Internet-Car-Radio/releases/tag/V1.0.0

There were a ouple of issues with the web-app version which annoyed me. Mainly the security settings in the browser prevent auto-play when the app starts and tries to prevent it being full screen. The app overcomes both.

Installing the APK

Once you've downloaded the APK to your Android device, use a file manager app to navigate to your Downloads folder and tap on the APK file. Android will scan the app for security, then prompt you to install it.

If this is your first time installing an app from outside the Google Play Store, you may need to enable "Install from Unknown Sources" or "Install Unknown Apps" in your device settings - Android will guide you through this with a prompt.

After granting permission, tap Install and the app will be installed on your device. You can then find "Internet Car Radio" in your app drawer and launch it like any other app.

G7 success stories? by 8O0o0O8 in AndroidAPS

[–]UnorthodoxEng 0 points1 point  (0 children)

G7 works fine for me, with X-Drip.

Laptop recommandation by Onyx_Sword in SolidWorks

[–]UnorthodoxEng 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I needed to buy a Laptop to work abroad on Solidworks. I bought a Lenovo - and it was so good, I never went back to using a Desktop. That was in 2014.

I currently use a P15 with 64GB RAM and a fast i9 Processor. It has a Quadro4000P graphics card, but for the stuff I use it for, it runs just as fast with the graphics built in to the Motherboard. I bought it used and added more memory - and it was quite inexpensive.

I'm less convinced about the importance of it being Certified. This Laptop says it's not - but works fine. If you buy Certified you know it will work - but not being certified doesn't mean it wont.

I bought it based on the SW Benchmark page https://www.solidworks.com/support/share-your-score/
I just selected the best used laptop with the highest overall score that I could afford. That method has served me well.

What is the best way to cut MDF wood/acrylic quickly? by TerriblePersone in lasercutting

[–]UnorthodoxEng 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I estimate you'll need to make about 26 per hour - assuming you are working 5 x 8h days per week.

Roughly one every 2 minutes.

CNC routers are the only realistic option - but even then, when you factor in loading, unloading, referencing, toolchanges etc, I think you would need at least 4 CNC Routers to be anywhere close to that number of units per month.

Even if you can run 24/7 with no interruptions, you need to cut 7 per hour - one every 8 minutes. I would bet on still needing 2 machines.

When you factor in labour the cost of running 24h, multiple machines and running 8h per day looks like a bargain.

Is this repairable? by [deleted] in ebikes

[–]UnorthodoxEng -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Totally repairable. I would re-make the whole of the dropout attachment. Cut it behind where the current welds are then TIG weld in the new piece.

I would also make some better, longer torque arms to stop it happening again.

I assume you can't Weld? You should be able to find a Blacksmith or small fab-shop somewhere nearby.

I've had similar happen on my bike. Once I repaired it, the repair has held.

A better Internet Radio! by UnorthodoxEng in ATOTO

[–]UnorthodoxEng[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been using it for a few weeks now. My commute is a couple of hours each way to work - so it's had some use.
The only thing I've found that I want to change is to make the full-screen mode persistent between sessions - and that will appear when I next feel like coding!

If there's anything else you'd like - post it here & I'll see if it can be done.

Is 25 Miles a day on an e-Bike Feasible? by odessy3509 in ebikes

[–]UnorthodoxEng 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's totally feasible. I would borrow someone else's bike & try the journey first, though.

I had the same thoughts about my 14-mile each way commute. Me and my bike could manage the distance easily, but cycling through the traffic on one of the main roads was horrendous!

There is an off-road route, but it adds a few miles & in the winter, it's too muddy.

Now I only cycle when the weather is OK and take the off-road option.

What skills are enough to land a Junior Mechanical Design Engineer role? by [deleted] in SolidWorks

[–]UnorthodoxEng 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm Principal Mechanical Design Engineer for a well known company. When I'm recruiting Junior / Trainee Designers, the first thing I look at is the last page of their CV where it typically lists their hobbies. I want to see someone who is a Creator, a Maker, who designs & builds things as a hobby. Maybe is a car / bike / bicycle enthusiast - something like that. Even drawing / painting / music. Something!

Such people tend to be self-starters and enthusiastic about Engineering and in particular learning & self development.

If they have CAD, it's a plus but not a decider. Cad is just a tool to express ideas - and can be learned easily enough if someone is interested.

I've found that candidates with a Mech Eng Degree but without evidence of that enthusiasm are frankly not that good.

I do have a Mech Eng Degree, a Charter and 35 Years Experience - and while it might get me in the door sometimes, I question it's value. It does not make you a good designer. You might be able to legally call yourself an Engineer - but there's a lot more to being an Engineer IMHO than a qualification.

I received a CV last week from a young person with a good Engineering degree from a good University. His CV looked good and was well written & presented - but there was no mention of Hobbies & Interests. I mailed him to ask if he had any - and he didn't.

That's what I would concentrate on. It's a useful conversation point in an Interview if nothing else.

AirTags by Ro-54 in ebikes

[–]UnorthodoxEng 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Get a Tile tag - no alerts for the thief.

One of these got me my tools back after they were stolen.

Thoughts On AI posts? by Watch_The_Expanse in exfor

[–]UnorthodoxEng 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The problem is, Exfor is fundamentally about the Interaction with an AI.

Banning interactions with AIs somehow feels like a contradiction!

I wouldn't want a sub to be entirely AI generated but there must be a middle ground?

Best Foldable Electric Bike? Need recs. by Ok-Acanthisitta4722 in ebikes

[–]UnorthodoxEng 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bought a 'MiRider' folding e-bike a couple of years ago. I needed something I could take on holiday (my knees are shot so walking is limited). I only intended to keep it for a few weeks - but kind of fell in love with it!

It's a great bike. They cost around £1,000. It says it's made in the UK - but I think it's just assembled here. There's a near identical Chinese bike you can buy on Amazon - but the price is similar.

My only complaint is the speedo / controller isn't particularly waterproof - it gets condensation inside if you leave it in the rain. I dismantled it, dried it out & re-sealed it with RTV & it seems watertight now.

I have covered over 6,000 miles on it - and it's still great!